Portable exercise and/or rehabilitation device

ABSTRACT

A portable exercise or rehabilitation device which permits users to perform a variety of stretching exercises includes a ground contacting member which the user uses to contact the ground, preferably between their legs, and a moveable handle which the user holds onto while performing stretching. The moveable handle slides away to greater and greater distances from the ground contacting member using a telescoping assembly. Once at a preferred separation distance, a lock holds the telescoping member in place so that the user may brace the ground contacting member against the ground and stretch his or her back, shoulders, or other muscles using the handle. The device preferably is on the order of sixteen to forty inches long in its non-extended state and can be conveniently carried in a gym pouch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to equipment used for performingstretching exercises, either for physical fitness or rehabilitation ofdamaged muscles.

Background Description

Prior inventions by the inventor relating to stretching andrehabilitation, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,421,801, 5,529,560,5,626,547, and 5,938,573, dealt with a sizable piece of gym equipmentwherein a user would sit on a seat and use scissor like leg platforms toopen and close their legs and use a moveable pole or leg portion toallow the user to stretch their back and arm muscles. While the designis innovative and provides a wide variety of options for fitness andrehabilitation, it is not portable and requires a large area for use.

As explained in the above-mentioned patents, each of which are hereinincorporated by reference, stretching is an important component ofphysical fitness. Ideally, a good exercise regimen will facilitate beingable to stretch a wide variety of muscle groups so as to maximizeflexibility. Proper and periodic stretching is also required forphysical rehabilitation for individuals after an illness or injury.Traditional pre-exercise or post-exercise stretching exercises performedon a simple floor mat or by hanging from a bar can provide a number ofbenefits. However, these techniques are fairly limited, as, for example,a rehabilitating patient may lack the strength required to performstretches, the average person may lack hand strength required to hangfrom a bar, and the person's body configuration and features may preventthem from stretching different muscle groups.

While the importance of stretching is well recognized, there have notbeen many advances which make attaining good stretching for fitness ortherapy easily attainable by the average person. For example, while manygyms have large pieces of equipment, e.g., the device shown in thepatents noted above, PILATES® equipment, cages with bungy cords, etc.,this is not the type of equipment that the average person can carryaround (and many gym's find they take up too much floor space). What isneeded is a convenient, portable device, which allows a person to carrythe product around comfortably, e.g., to a gym, clinic, or any locationof interest, and which provides the person with a means to perform avariety of different stretching exercises.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a lightweight, small(e.g., 1 foot 4 inches to 3 feet six inches), telescoping stretchingpole that he or she can carry in a gym bag or pouch. The stretching polepreferably has an extension length of 3 feet to 6 feet with its slidingtelescoping assembly fully extended and allows a user to perform a widevariety of stretches while seated on the floor, seated on a chair, orwhile standing.

According to the invention, a stretching device is pole shaped, and hastelescoping assembly connecting a ground engaging member and a moveablehandle. In some applications, the user positions the ground engagingmember between their legs, then extends the moveable handle by slidingit outward as a telescoping extension using the telescoping assembly.Upon extension to the desired location, the telescoping assemblyautomatically locks in place. Once at a desirable distance for thestretch to be performed, pulls back on handles connected to thetelescoping assembly and stretches while bracing the ground engagingmember comfortably on the ground or other surface. Indicia may beprovided on the telescoping assembly to permit the user to selectvarious amounts of stretching and/or to track his or her progress. Astationary grasping member on the telescoping assembly can be providedto help assist the user when he or she is extending or retracting thetelescoping assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the ground engaging member will be domeshaped or will have another suitable surface shape which permits theground engaging member to rotate or pivot relative to the ground. Inthis way, the user may have the extended stretching device at greater orsmaller inclines relative to the ground as desired, and/or the user maystretch centrally or to the left or right side of his or her body so asto engage different muscle groups in different stretches. The domeshaped member may have a flat bottom portion which enables the user tomore easily center the stretching device when it is to be usedvertically.

The locking mechanism preferably is automatic so that it locks in placeafter extension, and may preferably be disengaged with one hand so thatthe telescoping assembly with the attached moveable handle can beretracted so that the stretching device may be stored or reset fordifferent stretching exercises to be performed. In some embodiments, thelocking mechanism may be operated by the user during stretching forlocking and/or unlocking the telescoping assembly.

In some embodiments the moveable handle will have the form of ahandlebar which has handles extending in opposite directions from anaxis which passes through the telescoping assembly. The handlebar may bedisconnectable from a sliding member of the telescoping assembly formore compact storage. In addition, the handlebar, or different handlesof the handlebar, may be configured to be connectable at differentlocations or orientations on the sliding member to accommodate differentangles for varying the stretching exercises, and/or to permit greateramounts of stretching to be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of different embodiments of aportable stretching device;

FIG. 2 is a back isometric view of the stretching device shown in FIG.1A;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing the stretching devicerespectively in the retracted and the extended configuration;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing an alternative embodiment ofthe stretching device; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the stretching devicewith two extensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 1B,there is shown a stretching device 10 which includes a ground engagingmember 12 at one end, a moveable handle 14 at its other end, and atelescoping assembly 15 connecting the ground engaging member 12 andmoveable handle 14.

FIG. 3A shows the stretching device 10 in its retracted configuration.FIG. 3B shows the stretching device 10 in its extended configuration. InFIGS. 3A and 3B, it can be seen that the handle 14 is connected to asliding member 16 which slides in and out of the base portion of thetelescoping assembly 15. The sliding member 16 may be nearly as long asthe base portion of the telescoping assembly 15 to allow for maximumextension and thereby greater degrees of stretching. While theconfiguration of FIGS. 3A and 3B has one sliding member 16 for thetelescoping assembly 15, in alternative designs there might be two ormore sliding members that form part of the telescoping assembly, therebyallowing the device to be more compact and/or to extend outwardlygreater distances (see FIG. 5 for example).

In the retracted configuration of FIG. 3A, the distance from the bottomof the ground engaging member 12 to the top of the moveable handle 14 ispreferably 1 foot 4 inches to 3 feet six inches in length. This sizeallows the device to be easily carried in a gym bag or gym pouch. Also,it is preferred that by using light weight metals and/or plasticmaterials, the weight of the stretching device 10 can be kept to fivepounds or less and more preferably three pounds or less. In theexemplary design depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B, the baseportion of the telescoping assembly is polycarbonate, while the slidingmember 16 is metal. Having a light weight and relatively small devicemakes it readily portable. Portability of the device allows it to beused just about anywhere the user would like to use it, and makes thedevice more desirable to the user so that he or she will in fact use thestretching device 10 frequently. To assist in portability, in someapplications the moveable handle 14 may assume a handle bar shape wherethe handle bar is connected by a pin 18 that can selectively connect ordisconnect the handle bar from the sliding member 16 so that it can bestored more compactly.

In operation, the user places the ground engaging member 12 in contactwith a surface (e.g., the ground, a gym mat, etc.). In many stretches,the user will have their bottom or knees on the ground and the groundengaging member 12 will be positioned on the surface between the user'slegs. The ground engaging member 12 is preferably shaped such that itcan be rolled, rotated, rocked, or pivoted against the ground to changethe incline and direction of the telescoping assembly relative to theuser's body. For example, the user might lean the telescoping assemblyforward for deeper stretches, or more restfully extended itsubstantially upward. Also, for example, in some stretches, the usermight lean the telescoping assembly more to the left side of his or herbody or more to the right side of his or her body. Whatever angle orinclination chosen, the ground engaging member 12 keeps the stretchingdevice in contact with the ground so that the user can comfortablyperform stretches. Because of the ability to move the telescopingassembly 15 in almost any direction, the user is able to perform avariety of stretches to engage a variety of different muscle groups.

In some applications, e.g., where stretching is performed while standingon the side line of a football or soccer field, the ground engagingmember 12 may be weighted and/or be removable to add a weighted member.Having a weighted ground engaging member 12 (e.g., 3-8 lbs) allows auser to comfortably perform shoulder stretches while standing.

The dome shape of the ground engaging member 12 preferably includes acentrally located flat bottom surface, perhaps approximately the size ofthe quarter. Having a flat bottom permits the use to more easily centerthe stretching device when it is to be used in an upright configurationwhile the user is seated or standing.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 3A, and 3B, the telescoping assembly 15 may haveindicia thereon which will enable the user to gauge the stretch beingperformed and to track his or her progress. This is best seen withreference to FIG. 3B where the marker 19 which moves up the stationaryportion of the telescoping assembly 15 as the sliding member 16 isextended. By keeping track of the marker 19 relative to the indicia, theuser might choose a greater or lesser degree of stretch for differentstretching exercises, or he or she might be able, after time, see thathe or she can achieve greater amounts of stretching from continued useof the stretching device.

A locking mechanism 22 positioned on the telescoping assembly 15 is usedto lock the sliding member 16 at varying amounts of extension whichcorrespond to greater or lesser amounts of distance between the groundengaging member and the moveable handle 16. In a preferred embodiment,shown by example in FIGS. 2 and 4A, 4B and 5, the locking mechanism issimilar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,268 to Whittington,which is herein incorporated by reference. In FIG. 1B, and FIGS. 4A, 4B,and 5 a cone (22′) or ball (3) is used to unlock the locking mechanismsimply by pushing the cone 22′ or ball 3 upward. Thus, in use, the usersimply slides the sliding member 16 (FIG. 1B/3B) or 2 (FIGS. 4A, 4B and5) to a desired position and the telescoping assembly is thenautomatically locked in place. Then, after use, the cone 22′ in FIG. 1Bor ball 3 is moved upward, an operation usually only requiring one hand,and this release the locking mechanism so that the sliding member 16 or2 can be retracted.

In an alternative embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2, 3A and 3B,the locking mechanism 22 can be operated after the handlebar 14 isextended. Preferably, this can be accomplished with one hand so as tolock the sliding member 16 in place. After stretching the lockingmechanism can be unlocked to retract the sliding member 16 and handlebar14. In FIGS. 1A, 2, 3A, and 3B, the locking mechanism is depicted as awing feature which merely needs to be turned to lock and turned back tounlock. A preferred locking mechanism 22 which may be employed in thepractice of the invention is a pinless locking mechanism such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,084,913, 9,095,743, and 9,522,296, each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference, wherein the sliding member16, would be firmly grasped by, for example, ball bearings on the insideof the locking mechanism when it is in the locked position.

As shown in each of the drawing figures, a stationary grasping member 24on the base portion of the telescoping assembly 15 can provide the userwith a comfortable mechanism for both carrying and using the stretchingdevice. Once the ground engaging member 12 is positioned between his orher legs, the user can grasp the grasping member 24 with one hand andmove the moveable handle 14 upward (e.g., extending outward out of thebase of the telescoping assembly 15) with his or her other hand.

In a preferred embodiment where the handle 14 is a handle bar with twohandles perpendicularly extending from an axial line of the telescopingassembly 15, the pin 18 can be used to connect the handle 14 atdifferent angles relative to the axial line. In addition, the pin 18might be connectable at different positions on the length of the slidingmember 16 so as to enlarge or retract the distance of stretchingpossible.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of the stretching device similar tothat depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B. With reference to FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the handle 1 can be fixed or removable. The sliding member 2,sometimes referred to as the telescoping inner tube, is respectivelyshown in the nested configuration and at least partially extendedposition. The sliding member 2 is slidable in the vertical plane in andout of the base outer tube 5. As is shown in FIG. 5, there can be morethan one telescoping inner tube 2 and 2′. The release mechanism 3 ispreferably for a locking mechanism as, for example, described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,007,268, or other suitable system. As indicated above, thehandle 1 and attached sliding member 2 can be slid outward andautomatically lock in position. When desired after stretching, the ballshaped release mechanism 3 is slid slightly upward to release, allowingthe sliding member 2 to retract vertically into the base outer tube 5.

A grip 4 is used for carrying the stretching device and for holding thedevice during stretching exercises. For example, with the groundengaging member 8 in contact with the ground, e.g., between the legs ofthe user where the user's legs are stretched out on a floor or mat, theuser holds the grip 4 then uses one hand to unlock the release mechanism3. Thereafter, he or she can extend the sliding member 2 to the desiredlocation using the handle bar 1, where it is automatically locked inplace. After extension, a variety of exercises may be performed by theuser, e.g., stretching forward with the user leaning his or her torsorelatively closer or farther from the floor with the stretching devicepivoting closer to the floor while still engaging the floor or mat withthe ground engaging member 8, stretching towards the user's left orright side by rolling or pivoting the ground engaging member to theirleft or right side, etc.

The outer tube 5 may have indices imprinted thereon or notched thereinto allow a user to track their progress on stretching. A bushing 7 canbe connected to the sliding member 2 inside the outer tube 5, and beslidable therewith. The bushing 7 allows the nested tub to slide in asmooth, controlled manner within the outer tube 5. A projecting nub 9can be positioned on the sliding member 2 approximately 2 to 5 inchesfrom the bottom. The projecting nub 9 will contact a washer (not shown)adjacent the release mechanism and prevent the sliding member 2 frombeing pulled out from the base outer tube 5.

With reference to the configuration in FIG. 5, longer stretching and/ormore compact storage sizes can be achieved with two sliding members 2and 2′ are used. In this embodiment, two release mechanisms 3 and 3′ maybe used to adjust and lock in place the extension of each sliding member2 and 2′.

While the invention has been described in terms of its preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is as follows:
 1. A portable exercise orrehabilitation device for performing stretching exercises, comprising: aground contacting member on a first end; a moveable handle on a secondend; a telescoping assembly connecting the ground contacting member andthe moveable handle, wherein the telescoping assembly permits themoveable handle to be moved variable distances towards and away from theground contacting member; and a locking member which selectively locksthe telescoping assembly such that the ground contacting member and themoveable handle are held at selected and variable distances from oneanother when the locking member is locked.
 2. The portable exercise orrehabilitation device of claim 1 wherein the locking member locks thetelescoping assembly by a pinless locking mechanism.
 3. The portableexercise or rehabilitation device of claim 1 further comprising indiciaon at least a portion of the telescoping assembly to permit a user togauge stretching exercises performed at different separation distancesbetween the ground contacting member and the moveable handle.
 4. Theportable exercise or rehabilitation device of claim 1 wherein themoveable handle is in the form of a handle bar with two handlesextending to opposite sides of an axis passing through the telescopingassembly.
 5. The portable exercise or rehabilitation device of claim 4wherein the handle bar is disconnectable from a sliding member of thetelescoping assembly.
 6. The portable exercise or rehabilitation deviceof claim 1 further comprising at least one stationary grasping memberpositioned on a section of the telescoping assembly.
 7. The portableexercise or rehabilitation device of claim 1 wherein the groundcontacting member is configured to permit rotation and/or pivoting whenin contact with a ground surface.
 8. The portable exercise andrehabilitation device of claim 7 wherein the ground contacting member isat least partially dome shaped.
 9. The portable exercise andrehabilitation device of claim 1 wherein in a non-extended configurationa distance between the first end and the second end ranges from 1 feet 4inches to three feet six inches.
 10. The portable exercise orrehabilitation device of claim 1 wherein the locking memberautomatically locks the telescoping assembly after extension of thetelescoping assembly.